MOANA Wastewater Treatment Plant, Moaña, Galicia, Spain

MOANA is a wastewater treatment plant located in Moaña, a municipality in the province of Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain. It serves a population of about 21,986 residents, placing it in the medium agglomeration category under EU regulations. The facility is situated in the coastal region of the Rías Baixas, an area known for its estuarine ecosystems and shellfish production. As a Spanish plant serving over 10,000 people, MOANA operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment as a minimum for such agglomerations. The plant's compliance with the directive ensures that effluent meets quality standards before discharge. The treated wastewater is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Atlantic Ocean via the Ría de Vigo, a coastal inlet known for its rich marine biodiversity. The plant plays a critical role in protecting the water quality of the ría, which supports fisheries, aquaculture, and tourism. Its operation helps prevent nutrient pollution and safeguards the ecological health of the Galician coast.

MOANA discharges into the Ría de Vigo, a coastal inlet of the Atlantic Ocean in Galicia. This ría is part of the Rías Baixas, a region characterized by upwelling that supports high primary productivity and important shellfish fisheries. The plant's effluent must meet stringent standards to protect the sensitive marine environment, which is vital for local aquaculture and tourism.